Jimmy "Sweet Lips" Wilson was born in San Diego, California and grew up in the Midwest. He taught himself to play the saxophone at the age of eight. When he was a senior in high school he studied under the infamous Gary Foster (world-renowned, presently LA-based songwriter and big band arranger).

Jim began playing professionally at the age of fifteen. In the 50's he played with the popular rock n' roll band "The Sliders" in the Kansas City area. The bass player in that band was Charles (Buddy) Ross, founder of Kustom Electronics, which in the 60's and 70's produced the famous "rolled and pleated" amplifiers. Jimmy also played alongside the late great Eddie Cochran (Summertime Blues) and the popular blues musician and singer Bonnie Raitt. "Sweet Lips' " unique style has been compared to sax greats such as King Curtis and Sil Austin, but he has a sound all his own.